by Aisha RallonzaOne of the most bittersweet parts of a therapy dog visit is the fact that, after one hour, the dog has to leave. This is important to the animal welfare of the therapy dog, because studies have shown that one hour is the dog’s maximum threshold for happily interacting with many unfamiliar people before they start to get tired and stressed out. As happy as therapy dogs make us, they come and they go in the blink of an eye.This was not the case in Assumption Antipolo during their Mental Health Awareness Week. From July 23 to July 26, a different therapy dog visited every single day to interact with respective grade levels. Scotty visited the Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 on Tuesday, Apollo showed off his tricks to the Grade 6 and 7 on Wednesday, Peppy let students of the Grades 8, 9, and 10 feed and pet her on Thursday, and Ramen ended the week with meeting up with the senior high school students and paying a quick visit to the preschool.Grade 11 students pay Ramen a visit during the Dog Therapy activity on July 26, 2019. (Photo by: Jamie Samson from http://assumptionantipolo.edu.ph/AA/post2019-8-8-1.php?articlesid=4)The school’s theme for this week was “wellness through service.” Their goal was to show that through serving others, one can cultivate a better mental health. The dogs definitely were able to showcase this sentiment because they served with lolling tongues, happy smiles, and wagging tails. They were clearly able to embody the tagline that was on all of the dogs’ nameplates; “I serve joyfully. I live happily.”
Animated video of Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 activities of Assumption Antipolo from July 22-26, 2019
Students across all ages were consistent with their reactions. From the preschool students to the senior high students, everybody, upon seeing whatever dog was assigned to their grade level, erupted into grins and coos. Some younger students even screamed in glee, but thankfully quieted down when we explained that loud noises could stress out the dogs. One particularly memorable moment was a student who, upon seeing Apollo, had said loudly “Oh my god, I am going to DIE of cuteness.” Another memorable moment was during Peppy’s visit where Peppy started to do tricks. When Peppy raised her hand for a high five, one student gasped and put her hands on her face in shock.Junior High students enjoy their time with therapy dog Peppy the Shih tzu on July 25,2019. (Photo by: Luisa Elago from http://assumptionantipolo.edu.ph/AA/post2019-8-8-1.php?articlesid=4)Behind the scenes and outside of the eyes of the students, the faculty of the Guidance Office was also filled with joy and excitement every time a new dog came in for the day. Even those of us who work for Communitails can’t resist bursting into a smile whenever bringing the dogs out for Animal Assisted Activities.The week went by in almost the blink of an eye, but we hope that a week of dogs was enjoyable and fulfilling for the students, faculty, and staff of Assumption Antipolo. To more visits in the future!________________________________________________________________Aisha Rallonza is a 20 year old Creative Writing major at Ateneo de Manila University. They enjoy collecting marbles, playing with their dogs, and seeing trees. Find more of their writing atbirdscreeches.tumblr.com
Aisha Rallonza is a 20 year old Creative Writing major at Ateneo de Manila University. They enjoy collecting marbles, playing with their dogs, and seeing trees. Find more of their writing at birdscreeches.tumblr.com 